If we didn't have a steady stream of knowledgeable computer and network support staff, business in the UK (and around the world) could well be brought to its knees. There is an on-going demand for technicians to support systems and users alike. Our need for the above mentioned people is growing at an impressive rate, as everything becomes vastly more reliant on computers.

One feature that several companies offer is job placement assistance. The service is put in place to help you get your first commercial position. The need for this feature can be bigged up out of proportion though - it isn't unusual for companies marketing departments to make it sound harder than it is. Ultimately, the huge shortage of staff in the UK is what will enable you to get a job.

Bring your CV up to date as soon as possible however (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don't put it off until you've graduated or passed any exams. It's possible that you won't have even qualified when you'll secure your initial junior support role; but this isn't going to happen if your CV isn't in front of employers. Generally, a specialist locally based employment service (who will get paid by the employer when they've placed you) will perform better than any division of a training company. In addition, they will no doubt know the local area and commercial needs.

Please be sure that you don't invest a great deal of time on your training course, then call a halt and leave it in the hands of the gods to secure your first position. Get off your backside and get out there. Invest the same time and energy into securing your new role as it took to pass the exams.

A lot of training companies only provide support to you inside of office hours (typically 9am-6pm) and sometimes a little earlier or later; most won't answer after 8-9pm at the latest and frequently never at the weekends. You'll be waiting ages for an answer with email based support, and telephone support is usually to a call-centre that will make some notes and then email an advisor - who will call back over the next day or so (assuming you're there), at a time suitable for them. This is all next to useless if you're lost and confused and only have certain times available in which to do your studies.

The best trainers incorporate three or four individual support centres from around the world. By utilising an interactive interface to seamlessly link them all, no matter what time you login, help is just seconds away, avoiding all the delays and problems. If you opt for less than direct-access 24x7 support, you'll very quickly realise that you've made a mistake. You may avoid using the support during the night, but you may need weekends, late evenings or early mornings.

Talk to a practiced consultant and they can normally tell you many terrible tales of students who've been sold completely the wrong course for them. Ensure you only ever work with an experienced advisor who asks lots of questions to find out what's appropriate to you - not for their pay-packet! You need to find a starting-point that will suit you. Of course, if you've got any qualifications that are related, then you may be able to pick-up at a different starting-point to a student who's starting from scratch. For students embarking on IT studies anew, it's often a good idea to start out slowly, starting with some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first. This can easily be incorporated into most training programs.

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